_Major Straub was the official delegate of the War Department at the
Esperanto Congress held at Dresden, Germany, in August last. The
following extract is taken from his report to the Adjutant-General, U. S.
A.:_—EDITOR.
From a military point of view, the most important application of
Esperanto at this time would appear to be in the sanitary service, and
I am of the opinion that the Government would be justified in giving
it official countenance. It is suggested that a beginning be made by
introducing it into the National Red Cross Association, where at first it
might be added as an elective study in the course of instruction for the
Red Cross columns that are now being organized, and it would appear that
a two-fold purpose would be served thereby, in that, the language might
become of great practical use in time of war and that it would help to
hold the columns together by an additional bond of mutual interest. The
officers of the European Red Cross organizations, especially those of
France and Germany, have taken an active interest in the propaganda, and
many high officials of their organizations were present at the congress.
An exhibition was also given by a Dresden Red Cross column, in which all
of the exercises were conducted in Esperanto.
Many efforts have been made in former years to introduce a series of
manuals for the sanitary personnel of the military establishments to
facilitate communication with sick and wounded prisoners of war, but
such efforts were unsuccessful, largely on account of the difficulty of
learning the proper pronunciation of foreign tongues. This objection
cannot apply to Esperanto, as there is no difficulty whatever in this
respect, and it is quite easy to understand it whether spoken by Russian,
German, Turk, Japanese, or American. Lieutenant Bayol, an officer of
the French army, has prepared a set of small pamphlets which give
the questions that would be asked by the nurse and patient and their
appropriate answers, in French, German, Italian or English, and in a
parallel column the corresponding Esperanto.
Recommendation: In view of the extensive use already made of Esperanto in
foreign Red Cross organization, it is recommended that it be brought to
the attention of our National Red Cross organization, so that it may be
included as an elective study in the course of instruction for Red Cross
columns.
Second Indorsement. War Department, Office of the Surgeon General, Oct.
24, 1908. Respectfully returned to The Adjutant General of the Army. The
study of Esperanto in the military service should be encouraged as it is
believed that the proposed international language is destined to play an
important role in international intercourse. It is recommended that the
attention of the American National Red Cross Association be called to the
subject, and that authority be given to furnish it a copy of this report.
R. M. O’REILLY, Surgeon General, U. S. A.
Fourth Indorsement. War Department, The Adjutant-General’s Office,
Washington, November 17, 1908. Respectfully returned to the
Surgeon-General, approved by the Secretary of War as recommended in the
second indorsement. The return of this paper is desired. By order of the
Secretary of War.
HENRY P. McCAIN, Adjutant-General.